A week after they moved Carl, Beth packed a blanket, grabbed a squirming Judith from her play pen and took Rick's hand in her own. They went to the garden and found Carl working diligently.

"Come an' take a break, Carl?" Beth called out.

Carl flipped his ridiculously long hair out of his eyes and pulled his gloves off. "Be there in a minute." Rick led Beth a little distance away and laid the blanket out for her. A few minutes later Carl joined them, the family of four relaxing in the early afternoon sun.

Rick looked between his children and Beth, noticing how Carl and Beth looked more relaxed and carefree than he had ever seen them. Judith thrived under Beth's love and affection. He noted how he in his own ways had changed in such a short amount of time. He smiled constantly, Lori and Shane's hallucinations stopped visiting him, his sanity coming back in leaps and bounds, he spent his time slowly getting back into the council, joining meetings again.

Rick watched as Beth leaned over and picked up his old Sheriff's hat he had given Carl all those months ago. She played with the brim for a moment before, eyes twinkling, she placed it on his son's head.

"Your cheeks are gettin' sun kissed. We need sunscreen."

Beth and Carl chatted back and forth for twenty minutes, Rick staring into space, laying on his back content to just be with his family.

Months later, Rick relied heavily on Beth. He became the unofficial leader of the Prison Family once again, Daryl and Hershel were his sounding boards, the both of them determined along with Beth that Rick wouldn't shoulder too much responsibility and getting over his head. He spent time slowly getting back into the council and joining every council meeting again. Carl, to Rick's enjoyment accepted Beth as a step mother and confided in her, letting her help him with any problems he faced. Rick left on runs knowing his Beth would take care of their family, she would make sure that he wouldn't over look anything, no matter how trivial.

She kept him sane, happy, and made sure he took time for himself and their family.

They never married officially, but Rick brought home two simple gold rings, handing her one of them one night as they got ready to climb into bed. Beth smiled sweetly at him, handed the ring back and held her hand out for him to place the ring on her finger. He did and then she did the same for him and his ring. She reached into a drawer and pulled a chain from it, holding the attachment hidden in her hand before handing it to him.

"You took off your ring from Lori months ago. I put it on a chain. You should wear it still, she's a part of you, and the kids. You should someday give that ring to Carl."

Rick took the ring and chain from her and looked at her in amazement. "Thank you, Beth...Grimes." He grinned at her as he slipped the necklace on, the ring laying over his heart.

They didn't make any formal announcements about their unofficial marriage but the next day Maggie noticed the rings on their fingers, squealed and pulled her sister into a bear hug. Hershel clapped Rick on the back, a silent congratulations. Rick watched as his new wife and sister in law gushed over the ring, thinking that she was the best decision he had ever made.

A/N: It's officially over, as much as it saddens me to say. I know this and the last chapter were short, but they were sweet and that's all that matters. Hope you all enjoyed this little story. I hope to write more Brick soon!